THOMAS FRANK’S VERDICT: WHY THE PREMIER LEAGUE IS UNDISPUTEDLY THE WORLD’S GREATEST LEAGUE
Explore Thomas Frank’s insights on the Premier League's dominance and his tactical plan to keep Solanke sharp for Burnley.
Thomas Frank doesn’t hide how he feels about the Premier League. For him, it’s the best league in the world—no question. “The competitiveness is just wild. Every single game is tough,” he says. “Honestly, there are a lot of teams in this league that, if they played in the Champions League, they’d hold their own. Playing away in the Champions League is brutal, though. It’s a huge test.”
Frank also discussed Dominic Solanke and his current standing after Tottenham’s 2-0 win over Dortmund in the Champions League on Tuesday. Solanke scored his first goal since coming back from a long injury layoff, and Frank could see he’s not quite at his peak yet. “We probably saw Solanke at about 70%,” Frank said. “But there were a lot of positives. He scored in exactly the right spot, with three quick touches. He was in the box where we needed him.”
Frank noticed a few moments where Solanke’s movement was off—cutting to the front post when he should’ve drifted behind the defender, missing a cross from Pedro Porro where their usual connection just wasn’t quite there. “That comes with playing together more. Solanke’s a really fit guy; he can run hard throughout the entire match. But after 65 minutes, he was out of gas. That’s just how it is when you haven’t played a full game in seven months. So, we’ll give him two days to recover, train tomorrow, and he’ll be ready for Saturday. The injury’s not a problem now—it’s just about match sharpness.”
Looking ahead to Burnley, Frank expects them to play pretty much how they did on opening day, when Spurs beat them 3-0 at home. “A lot of the same patterns. We’ve just been watching them closely—still a solid team, really tough to break down, and they know exactly what they’re about. They look dangerous, especially at Turf Moor.”
He gives credit to Scott Parker’s side for their fight. “They’re a promoted team, but you can see how competitive they are. Look at that draw at Anfield. Saturday’s going to be tight. For us, it’s about focusing on our own performance, really pushing to win, and managing Burnley’s threats—especially set pieces and counters. We have to stay on top of things and find ways to score.”
HOW JAMES MADDISON’S INDIVIDUAL TRAINING SIGNALS A SHOCK SEASON RETURN
James Maddison returns to individual training as Igor Tudor prepares Tottenham for a vital relegation battle with Forest.
Ahead of Tottenham’s match against Nottingham Forest, manager Igor Tudor gave an update on when James Maddison might return from injury. It’s a crucial moment for Spurs as they prepare to host Forest in what could be the defining 90 minutes of Tudor’s time at the club and quite possibly a key fixture that will shape the season for both teams.
Currently separated by just one point, Tottenham and Forest are locked in a battle against relegation. A win would push Spurs four points clear of the drop zone, while a loss might drag them into the bottom three. The stakes couldn’t be clearer.
Tudor’s side heads into this game with renewed energy, surprisingly positive given the mood just two weeks ago. The draw at Anfield broke a six-game losing streak, and their recent 3-2 victory over Atlético Madrid, though not enough to overturn the aggregate score, brought back a sense of belief. Young players like Xavi Simons and Archie Gray impressed, while Mathys Tel kept the opposition on their toes. The atmosphere at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was electric in a way fans haven’t felt for months. While the Champions League hopes are dashed, that performance has injected valuable momentum into Spurs’ survival fight.
There’s also some hopeful news on the injury front. Dominic Solanke, who missed the Atlético leg with a hip issue, might be available. His physical presence adds a different dimension to Tottenham’s attack, which Tudor will surely be glad to have.
But the most promising update came from Tudor’s comments about Maddison. The creative midfielder, sidelined since August after rupturing his ACL in a preseason friendly, has begun some individual training, spotted alongside Palhinha. Recoveries from ACL injuries are never straightforward, and the team won’t rush him back. With only seven league games left after Sunday, there’s a narrow window for his return. Still, even the possibility of Maddison getting back on the pitch—someone who can change a game with a moment of skill or a precise pass—offers a much-needed morale boost.
For now, though, the focus remains firmly on Forest.
WHY BORUSSIA DORTMUND EXPECT JADON SANCHO TO SIGN FOR FREE
Unai Emery praises Jadon Sancho despite poor stats, while Dortmund free up £21m in wages to lure him back to Germany.
Borussia Dortmund really want Jadon Sancho back, and they’re hoping to get him for free from Manchester United. Sancho’s contract runs out this summer, and honestly, no one expects United to offer him a new one.
Right now, Sancho’s on loan at Aston Villa. It’s his third spell away from Old Trafford since United signed him for £73 million in 2021. His move to Villa was just a loan with no option to buy.
Villa’s manager, Unai Emery, has hinted he might keep Sancho, but Dortmund aren’t sitting around. The Times says Dortmund didn’t chase wingers last summer because Nico Kovac liked the 3-4-2-1 formation, but now the boss has changed his mind and wants Sancho back.
If Sancho comes back, he'll need to take a hefty pay cut from his £300,000-a-week salary. Still, Dortmund’s where he made his name after moving from Manchester City in 2017.
Dortmund have room in the budget this summer; they let the contracts of Julian Brandt, Niklas Süle, and Salih Özcan run out. That saves them about £21 million a year, and they’re optimistic they can lure Sancho, who’s allowed to strike pre-contract deals with foreign clubs.
Sancho actually spent half of the 2024 season back at Dortmund after Erik ten Hag froze him out at United. He helped them reach the Champions League final, but nothing permanent came of it.
Something similar happened during his loan to Chelsea last season. The club even paid a £5 million penalty just to avoid having to sign him outright. Villa picked him up right at the transfer deadline in September, but, once again, he’s struggled.
So far, Sancho’s got one goal and one assist in 29 games across all competitions. Still, Emery thinks there’s more to come.
When asked in February about signing Sancho for good, Emery said, “Not yet, but he’s a fantastic player. Hopefully, he can help us by improving within our system, like he is doing.
“He’ll need a new contract; maybe it’s here. If he plays his best football, we’ll want him. But other teams will be interested, too.”
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